"Some foreigners perceived us (the Indonesians) do not care about the environment," Pandjaitan said while delivering his remarks at the Segara Kerthi ceremony here on Saturday.
He underlined that the ritual, held ahead of the 10th World Water Forum, reflects Indonesia's commitment and is a concrete action for protecting nature, particularly water sources.
Through Segara Kerthi, the global community can see how the awareness of the environment has been ingrained in the Indonesian culture. It also shows that the Indonesian nation cares about climate change and respects nature and other living creatures, he added.
"We are keen to show to the global community through the ritual that they can witness right now," Pandjaitan told the international participants of the 10th World Water Forum.
The ritual also shows how the local people, especially those living in Bali, are eager to preserve nature to maintain water quality and condition.
"It has become an obligation for the Balinese community to maintain their water sources," he said.
The Segara Kerthi ritual is carried out to seek blessings from the Almighty for a physically and spiritually clean sea as a source of water. The ceremony on Saturday started at 3 p.m. local time (UTC +8) and was led by four Hindu priests.
The Segara Kerthi ritual was followed by Tumpek Uye, a ritual of veneration of animals as part of which one thousand hatchlings, one thousand birds, and five turtles were set free.
Mantra recitation, collective prayer, and six sacred Balinese dances were also performed during the ritual.
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Translator: Putu Indah S, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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